The R-2 (Fortuna-1) well was the second well drilled by Ophir in Block R. The R-2 well was located 150 km southwest of Malabo, offshore Bioko Island, in 1691m of water and was drilled to a total depth of 3400m sub sea. The primary objective of the well was to test Late Miocene turbiditic sandstones in a stratigraphically trapped closure. The well encountered 23m of gas saturated sands within a 300m interval. The sands have porosities of up to 35%, high permeabilities and gas saturations of at least 80%. The well was subsequently plugged and abandoned after extensive logging. Further studies are ongoing to determine the extent and size of the accumulation.

The R-3 (Lykos-1) well was the third well drilled by Ophir in Block R. The R-3 well was located in 1,536m of water and was drilled to a total depth of 2284m sub-sea. The well targeted a shallow gas anomaly identified on existing 3D seismic data, with the dual objective of proving the presence of a gas column whilst demonstrating feasibility of a low cost “riserless” well design to explore and develop such features. The well penetrated a gross gas column of 29m, as proven by both wireline logs and pressure data. Reservoir quality was excellent and gas samples were taken to determine composition. The well was subsequently plugged and abandoned.

Further studies will be undertaken to determine the extent of this and other potential prospects and leads of this type which have already been identified within Block R.